Reputation Matters

As Rustenback comments, “…technology-based marketing companies have been able to sell the consumer the idea that boarding has very negative connotations and any caring pet parent would not put their pet in a “cage” (ibid).

Facility-based pet-care businesses need to attend to the reputation not only of their facility, but other facilities as well, so that the tide of all pet-care facilities rises above the ‘ubers’ of pet-care like Rover and DogVacay.

“We started realizing that if we – who have no real experience – can do this, then pretty much anyone can”. - Aaron Hirschhorn, founder of DogVacay.

Hirschhorn’s comments above provide a simple benchmark that pet-care facilities can ensure to stay competitive: a reputation for experience and professional training in pet-care facilities.

Association Matters

Advocacy, training, 3rd-party certification. Participation in pet-care associations helps ensure your business rises, and the industry as a whole rises as well. Join the International Boarding and Pet Services Association HERE and get engaged!

Certifications help your employees develop themselves as industry professionals, elevating their job-satisfaction, pay, and elevating the businesses they work for. Pet care staff and facility certification will play a growing role in the pet-care industry in 2019.